Table mounted forearm edge rest

ABSTRACT

A table edge mountable U-shaped channel slot device having two spaced arms extending from a base with a slot therebetween. The elevation of the opening at the front of the channel is lightly less than the elevation of the slot at the base. The device is formed from a slightly flexible rigid U-shaped plastic channel overlaid exteriorly only with a wrap layer that may be neoprene. Optionally a layer of a thin rubber sheet is disposed over the interior surface of one arm. The device is adapted to fit over the edge of a table such as a commercial folding table to provide forearm comfort and cleanliness for bingo players by helping the forearm to avoid chemical residue, splinters, dirt, cigarette sears and impact of the hard table edge. Preferably the corners of the arms distant from the base are chamfered.

RELATION TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10/043,416 filed Apr. 19, 2002 and now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains to an armrest for forearms which rest can be mounted to the edge of a table and is intended specifically for use by multi-session bingo players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Persons who play bingo and related table games tend to do so for hours at a time. The tables used by players at VFW halls, fraternal lodge meetings and churches are often metal or plastic edged hard-surfaced tables. Sometimes card tables are used. Little or no effort is exerted by the table owners, who are often leasing companies, to provide for comfort of the players and especially their forearms which usually rest on the table edge. These table edges often have chips, are raw edged, dirty, and of rough nature due to high usage. Cigarette burns often mar the edges and cause uneven surfaces detrimental to player's comfort.

[0004] As a result of these problems, players clothing and skin can suffer the indignity of dirt reception, players can get splinters, or skin abrasions and if the forearms rest for too long a period of time on the edges, circulation of the blood in the forearm area can be impeded. Chemical residues from the bleach and other disinfectants can be detrimental to the skin and clothing.

[0005] There is a need therefore, for a table rest for bingo and other game players who sit at their respective location for several hours. This invention meets the need to protect the user's arms from the recited hazards as well as from bruising.

[0006] The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features, properties, the selection of components which are amplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

[0007] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A slightly flexible U-shaped channel of acrylic or other rigid plastic overlaid exteriorly with an attached neoprene or other wrap yields a removable table edge that can be inserted over and overlies a conventional elongated table's edge to provide forearm comfort to the user.

[0009] Preferably, the opening at the front of the U-shape is slightly wider than the diameter of the slot at the base of the U channel to cause the channel to snugly engage a table edge and retain said edge upon insertion of the table edge into the device's slot. The product of this invention is generally used in pairs with the table edge each unit being about 8 to 12 inches in length.

[0010] It is a first object to provide a new bingo and card player forearm edge rest for folding tables.

[0011] It is a second object to provide a table rest that prevents injury to the forearm of the user.

[0012] It is a third object to provide a clean transportable table edge that helps a bingo player avoid chemical cleaner residue and rough uneven and/or dirty surfaces of a table while playing bingo.

[0013] It is fourth object to provide a lightweight very portable comfort providing device that will fit within a conventional bingo player's bag.

[0014] It is fifth object to provide a springy, removable table edge that is optionally interiorly lined with a thin sheet of rubber to enhance the friction to the engagement of the tabletop edge.

[0015] Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top view thereof.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of this invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of this invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view thereof.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the mounting and use of the device of this invention.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of this device with an optional rubber sheet for added friction.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view showing the presence of the optional sheet of rubber for enhanced resistence to removal due to increased friction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The invention 10 is shown in the first figure. The invention is seen to comprise a U-shaped channel unit that is tilted over on one arm of the U-shaped member. The U-shaped section 11 has a pair of parallel arms 14A,14B connected by a base 16 and open at the front 21 of the U.

[0025] The device may be formed of acrylic or other rigid plastic with a smaller dimension across the slot opening at front 21, as compared with the elevation at 23 along the base of the tilted U-shaped member. This permits the device to snugly engage a folding table's edge and be retained during a bingo game. Thus slot 22 runs full-length from end to end and is uniform in elevation at all points along front 21 and base 23.

[0026] The U-shaped channel is overlaid on the outside with a layer 12 of a wrap of neoprene rubber or skinned spongy urethane foam to add resilience to both the top and bottom and base of the U-shaped channel. The wrap is adhesed as a continuous layer to form surfaces 12A, 12B, and 12C the thin glue layer is not seen. As seen in FIG. 1 and elsewhere, the upper and lower front corners 13 are preferably chamfered. Other padding material may be used instead of the neoprene rubber such as a non-fully crossed linked urethane foam as just mentioned. The padding may be added by the use of either a separate adhesive layer, not shown, or as a pre-adhesed wrap usually a $\frac{1}{4}$

[0027] inch thick, with a peel and stick adhesive cover layer.

[0028] In addition to acrylic plastic sold under the Plexiglas® trademark, other rigid plastic material of a thickness of about {fraction (3/16)} may be employed such as ABS or styrene among others.

[0029] Typical dimensions for the device are about 8-12 inches long, a total elevation at the base 16 being about $1\frac{5}{8}$

[0030] inches, with the arms of the tilted U, being about $2\frac{1}{2}$

[0031] inches in extension from the base 16. The elevation of $1\frac{5}{8}$

[0032] inches between arms works for use with most conventional folding card tables, the most common table used by bingo parlors.

[0033] The dimensions as recited above yields a slot opening 21 suitable for most commercial folding tables which is about $\frac{3}{4}$

[0034] inch versus $\frac{7}{8}$

[0035] inch at the base of U, 23 based upon the use of $\frac{1}{4}$

[0036] inch thick plastic. The channel may be formed as a one piece unit by double bending a sheet of plastic material over a mandrel or unit 10 may be formed by injection molding into a U-shaped member which is rigid but slightly flexible.

[0037] The size of about 8 inches up to about 12 inches is for a single forearm. Therefore, two spaced units would be needed to protect both arms of a player. It is contemplated to use a device 10 that is at least twice that of 8 inches in length—16 inches and up to about 24 inches, as a single unit for both forearms of a player. Size notwithstanding, it is preferred to have the arm corners distant from the base to be chamfered.

[0038] When and as one arm surface 12A is soiled during use, from a spilled drink, sweat, etc., the device can be flipped over and used with the bottom arm surface 12B upward.

[0039] Other opening sizes suitable for thicker tables or tables of other construction such as, an office conference table, are also within the scope of this invention. That is, the open end of the slot for a conference table may be about $1\frac{7}{8}$

[0040] and the elevation between arms at the base about 2 inches. Thus the slot is slightly smaller in front than the base which base dimension exceeds the elevation of the table edge. Here also $\frac{1}{4}$

[0041] inch thick plastic stock may be used.

[0042] It is seen that I have provided a new device that protects the forearm of a bingo player from dirt, chemicals, splinters, or other harmful effects on the surface of a table edge.

[0043]FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred thickness of the padding wrap which is equal to about the thickness of the plastic. FIG. 3 shows that the overlay is on the exterior of the channel 11 only. The end views are seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Plastic of about $\frac{1}{4}$

[0044] inch thick is preferred but may vary slightly plus or minus $\frac{1}{16}$

[0045] with the same thickness variation for the wrap. See FIG. 3 the front elevational view.

[0046]FIG. 6 illustrates the insertion of device 10 onto the table edge. The upper surface of the table is designated 26, the bottom surface if present is 27 and the end surface is 25. Arrows 50,51 are intended to show movement on and off the table edge. A snug fit is achieved by use of the slightly flexible plastic in combination with the slight differences in front slot elevation from the slot base elevation. The flexibility of the plastic allows the slot front to open to receive and engage the table edge along surfaces 25, 26 and as much of 27 as may be present.

[0047] In FIG. 7 a variant of this device is seen. Here a thin sheet of rubber about $\frac{1}{32}\quad {to}\quad \frac{1}{16}$

[0048] inch thick is glued to one of the interior surfaces of the two arms 14A or 14B. This thin rubber layer 24 adds increased friction to the device 10 to ensure that it is not accidently removed from the table end 25 by creating a friction enhancing surface for engagement of table surface 26. See FIG. 8 which shows the presence of the sheet of rubber on the interior surface on one of the arms. Chamferring of the corners 13 of the arms distant from the base on the main embodiment and the variant achieves a more aesthetic look and avoids sharp pointed corners. Note also that the padding wrap is also rounded to conform to the configuration of the plastic.

[0049] If the construction of the table is such that there is an edge underside 27, when the device is inverted due to dirt, etc., then the extra friction layer 24 will be on the underside of the table 27. It is noted that folding card tables lack a significant underside 27, while conference tables and kitchen tables have such an underside edge.

[0050] When the rubber layer of the variant is employed, retention of the device to the table edge is achieved by both the friction of the rubber sheet and the close contact of the arm edges and the arms with the table end.

[0051] In conclusion, it is seen that while other U-shaped structures exist in the prior art, such as are found for covers for waterbed frames, as per the disclosure of the James U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,039 such devices are of different construction. For example, the James structure is of a greater elongation and the outer covering material of James, also James covers the interior of the channel as well which is not the case with the instant device. It is seen that I have provided an easily portable device for use with both forearms or each of the individual forearms for use with bingo and other game players who have reason to rest their forearms on a table edge. This device prevents excess pressure on the forearm and provides comfort for the user during bingo, kino, or other game play. And at the length of 8-12 inches for a single arm unit or 16-24 inches long for a 2 forearm unit, the device of this invention will be easily transportable in a bingo player's game bag.

[0052] Since certain changes maybe made in the described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

I claim:
 1. A table edge mountable tilted U-shaped device formed from a channel of plastic, having two spaced arms extending from a base with a slot therebetween which channel is exteriorly covered only with a wrap layer of padding to protect a user's forearm from dirt and injury, said device being inserted adapted to snugly fit over the edge of a table used by bingo and other game players, for use as a forearm rest.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plastic is acrylic and the wrap is neoprene.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein each arm is generally rectangular and the corners of the arms distant from the base are chamfered.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the elevation of the slot at the distal end of the arm's opening at the front is narrower than the elevation of the slot at the base of the U to provide a snug fit over a table edge.
 5. A tilted U-shaped device formed of an acrylic plastic channel about 8-12 inches long, covered over on the exterior by a layer of wrap selected from the group consisting of neoprene and skinned spongy polyurethane foam, said device having a pair of arms extending from abase with a slot therebetween, which device is adapted to fit over a table edge with the table edge fitting within the slot of the channel in order to serve as a forearm rest for a game player.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the opening at the open end of the U channel is less than the width of the opening between the two arms at the base.
 7. A table edge-mountable tilted U-shaped device up to about 24 inches long for use as a forearm rest by a bingo or other game player, which device comprises a rigid flexible plastic channel having two spaced arms extending from a base with a slot therebetween, the elevation of the slot distant from the base being less than the elevation of the slot at the junction of the arms to the base, and said channel being overlaid exteriorly only with a wrap of neoprene on the two arms and base.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein each arm is generally rectangular and the generally rectangular wrapped arms are chamfered at the corners distant from the base.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein a thin sheet of rubber is disposed on the surface of one arm facing the other arm.
 10. The device of claim 8, further including a thin sheet of rubber disposed on the surface of one arm facing the other arm.
 11. The device of claim 7, wherein each device is between 8-12 inches long.
 12. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is about 16-24 inches long and serves to receive both the left and right forearms of a user.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein each arm measures about $2\frac{1}{2}$

outward from the base.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the front elevation of the slot is about $1\frac{3}{4}$

inches and the elevation of the slot at the base is about 2 inches.
 15. The device of claim 14, further including a sheet of rubber disposed on the surface of one arm facing the arm, which rubber sheet is from $\frac{1}{32}\quad {to}\quad \frac{1}{16}$

inch thick.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the front elevation of the slot is about $\frac{3}{4}$

inches and the elevation of the slot at the base is about $\frac{7}{8}$

inches. 